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Nursing DNP at Kent State

Nursing - D.N.P.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for experienced nurses who are looking to advance their career. With a focus on evidence-based practice, leadership and patient care, this program prepares you for a wide range of roles in healthcare. Students in this program will have access to experienced faculty, cutting-edge technology and clinical experiences that will prepare you for the challenges of the modern healthcare industry.

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More About This Program

Kent State's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will prepare you to become a healthcare leader and improve patient care through the application of scientific evidence.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice, gain leadership and technology skills, and become clinical scholars.

In this program, students develop leadership skills to affect health outcomes for individuals and populations by translating scientific evidence into clinical interventions, managing healthcare systems and collaborating with other health care providers.

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Program Information for Nursing - D.N.P.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Nursing is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice, gain leadership and technology skills and become clinical scholars. Students develop leadership skills to affect health outcomes for individuals and populations by translating scientific evidence into clinical interventions, managing healthcare systems and collaborating with other health care providers.

The Nursing major comprises the following concentrations:

  • The Executive Nurse concentration prepares nurse leaders for the role of nurse executive at the highest level of healthcare administration.
  • The Nurse Administration and Executive Leadership concentration prepares B.S.N. nurses for entry-, mid- and executive-level leadership roles.
  • The Practice Leadership concentration prepares advanced practice and clinical experts to lead interprofessional teams focused on evidence-based practice, quality improvement and translational research.

Admissions for Nursing - D.N.P.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Previous degree:
    • Executive Nurse concentration – master's degree in nursing or a related field
    • Nurse Administration and Executive Leadership concentration – bachelor's or master's pre-licensure degree in nursing
    • Practice Leadership concentration – bachelor's1 or master's degree in nursing
  • Minimum overall 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a minimum C grade
  • Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which the student's practica will be completed
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae that demonstrates professional experience in nursing
  • Essay (300 words) describing professional goals and reasons for seeking the professional practice doctorate
  • Three letters of reference from healthcare professionals or academic faculty who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities
  • Pre-admission interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score

Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy. Priority admission to the Nurse Executive concentration will be given to candidates who hold American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification or American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Executive certification or who have experience in nursing management or administration.

1

Post-baccalaureate students admitted to the Practice Leadership concentration also will be admitted to the M.S.N. degree in one of the advanced practice registered nurses concentrations. This dual admit will allow students to complete M.S.N. coursework and enroll in some D.N.P. coursework after successfully completing their first two full-time semesters of graduate study. Students must first complete M.S.N. coursework, earn the M.S.N. degree and obtain APRN national certification before they can continue with D.N.P. coursework and earn the D.N.P. degree.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: March 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Priority deadline: October  1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop and implement systems-focused care and innovative strategies to promote positive, sustainable health and fiscal outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
  2. Provide population-focused, advanced nursing care to diverse populations within a variety of settings based on evidence, ethics, theory and professional standards.
  3. Provide leadership and interprofessional collaboration to plan, implement and evaluate programs of care delivery to improve outcomes for individuals, populations and aggregates.
  4. Synthesize and translate evidence for implementation and dissemination for equitable, evidence-based and inclusive healthcare outcomes.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (min B grade in all courses)
NURS 70016ADVANCED ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE NURSE LEADER 13
NURS 70621D.N.P. ROLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP 1
NURS 70630RESEARCH METHODS FOR EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70635APPLICATION OF EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70640ADVANCED LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 3
NURS 70670QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY 3
NURS 70680POPULATION HEALTH 3
NURS 70711SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
NURS 70750D.N.P. DATA SCIENCE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY 3
Culminating Requirement
NURS 72692D.N.P. PROJECT I: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROJECT PLANNING AND PROPOSAL 3
NURS 72792D.N.P. PROJECT II: IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS 3
NURS 72892D.N.P. PROJECT III: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3
Concentrations
Choose from the following:6-30
Minimum Total Credit Hours:40-64
1

NURS 70016 is required for students who have not completed graduate coursework in advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology and advanced physiology. Students who have previously completed the course will be waived the requirement and may graduate with 37 credit hours (or 61 credit hours if in the Nursing Administration and Executive Leadership concentration).

Executive Nurse Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (min B grade in all courses)
NURS 70089INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES 13
or NURS 70686 APPLIED ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NURSE EXECUTIVE
NURS 70651ADVANCED LEGAL, REGULATORY AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR NURSE 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:6
1

NURS 70089 is only offered in another country for students who travel abroad.

Nursing Administration and Executive Leadership Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (min B grade in all courses)
NURS 70020LEGAL AND REGULATORY MANAGEMENT FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS 3
NURS 70024HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE AND BEHAVIOR 3
NURS 70089INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES 13
or NURS 70686 APPLIED ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NURSE EXECUTIVE
NURS 70101THEORETICAL BASIS FOR NURSING PRACTICE 3
NURS 70292INTEGRATION OF CLINICAL EXPERTISE INTO THE HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT ROLE PRACTICUM 2
NURS 70315BUDGETARY AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR NURSES 3
NURS 70651ADVANCED LEGAL, REGULATORY AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR NURSE 3
NURS 74002PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS 3
NURS 74292NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP I PRACTICUM 2
NURS 74302NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP SEMINAR 2
NURS 74692EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

NURS 70089 is only offered in another country for students who travel abroad.

Practice Leadership Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (min B grade in all courses)
NURS 70089INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES 13
or NURS 70685 HEALTHCARE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC POLICY
NURS 70650ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:6
1

NURS 70089 is only offered in another country for students who travel abroad.

Progression Requirements

Student who do not earn a minimum B grade in a course must repeat it and cannot take other courses that require that course as a prerequisite until the course is successfully repeated. Students who do not earn a minimum B grade in the second attempt may be dismissed from the D.N.P. degree.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Minimum B grade in all courses.
  • Completion of minimum 500 practicum hours for post-master's students. Post-baccalaureate students are required to complete additional hours based upon their selected concentration.
  • Submission and defense of a scholarly project to a committee that includes, at minimum, the student's academic advisor and two other doctoral-prepared members. The project must result in a manuscript suitable for publication.
Roadmaps

Roadmaps

Roadmaps

Executive Nurse Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
NURS 70016 ADVANCED ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE NURSE LEADER 3
NURS 70621 D.N.P. ROLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP 1
NURS 70630 RESEARCH METHODS FOR EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70711 SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring Semester
NURS 70635 APPLICATION OF EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70640 ADVANCED LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer Term
NURS 70651 ADVANCED LEGAL, REGULATORY AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR NURSE 3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70670 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY 3
NURS 70680 POPULATION HEALTH 3
 Credit Hours6
Spring Semester
NURS 70089
or NURS 70686
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES
or APPLIED ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NURSE EXECUTIVE
3
NURS 70750 D.N.P. DATA SCIENCE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer Term
NURS 72692 D.N.P. PROJECT I: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROJECT PLANNING AND PROPOSAL 3
 Credit Hours3
Third Year
Fall Semester
NURS 72792 D.N.P. PROJECT II: IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
NURS 72892 D.N.P. PROJECT III: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:40

Nursing Administration and Executive Leadership Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
NURS 70101 THEORETICAL BASIS FOR NURSING PRACTICE 3
NURS 70315 BUDGETARY AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR NURSES 3
NURS 70621 D.N.P. ROLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP 1
NURS 70711 SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring Semester
NURS 70020 LEGAL AND REGULATORY MANAGEMENT FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS 3
NURS 70024 HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE AND BEHAVIOR 3
NURS 70640 ADVANCED LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 3
 Credit Hours9
Summer Term
NURS 70651 ADVANCED LEGAL, REGULATORY AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR NURSE 3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70016 ADVANCED ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE NURSE LEADER 3
NURS 70292 INTEGRATION OF CLINICAL EXPERTISE INTO THE HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT ROLE PRACTICUM 2
NURS 70630 RESEARCH METHODS FOR EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
 Credit Hours8
Spring Semester
NURS 70635 APPLICATION OF EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70750 D.N.P. DATA SCIENCE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY 3
NURS 74002 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS 3
 Credit Hours9
Third Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70670 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY 3
NURS 70680 POPULATION HEALTH 3
NURS 74292 NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP I PRACTICUM 2
 Credit Hours8
Spring Semester
NURS 70089
or NURS 70686
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES
or APPLIED ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NURSE EXECUTIVE
3
NURS 74302 NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP SEMINAR 2
NURS 74692 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM 3
 Credit Hours8
Summer Term
NURS 72692 D.N.P. PROJECT I: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROJECT PLANNING AND PROPOSAL 3
 Credit Hours3
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
NURS 72792 D.N.P. PROJECT II: IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
NURS 72892 D.N.P. PROJECT III: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:64

Practice Leadership Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
NURS 70016 ADVANCED ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE NURSE LEADER 3
NURS 70621 D.N.P. ROLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP 1
NURS 70630 RESEARCH METHODS FOR EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70711 SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring Semester
NURS 70635 APPLICATION OF EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 3
NURS 70640 ADVANCED LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer Term
NURS 70650 ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS 3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70670 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY 3
NURS 70680 POPULATION HEALTH 3
 Credit Hours6
Spring Semester
NURS 70089
or NURS 70685
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES
or HEALTHCARE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC POLICY
3
NURS 70750 D.N.P. DATA SCIENCE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer Term
NURS 72692 D.N.P. PROJECT I: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROJECT PLANNING AND PROPOSAL 3
 Credit Hours3
Third Year
Fall Semester
NURS 72792 D.N.P. PROJECT II: IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
NURS 72892 D.N.P. PROJECT III: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:40

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online

Accreditation for Nursing - D.N.P.

Accreditation

The D.N.P. degree in Nursing at Kent State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Pathways to the D.N.P.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees:

  • Executive Nurse concentration - bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in nursing    
  • Systems Leadership concentration - one of the following: (1) bachelor's degree in nursing; or (2) master's degree in advanced practice registered nursing that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing; or (3) B.S.N. degree and a master's in nursing
B.S.N. to D.N.P.

The first two years of the program are focused on preparing you for an advanced practice role in the concentration you choose. After completing the necessary coursework and practicum hours, you will receive your MSN and will be eligible to sit for certification. During these two years, you may begin your DNP coursework.

Pathways to the DNP graphic

Concentration Options

You may choose to complete your DNP in any of these advanced practice areas:

  • Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - 100% online
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- 100% online
  • Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - 100% online
M.S.N. to D.N.P. Online

Kent State's MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program can be completed 100% online in less than two years.

Our DNP program will prepare you to assume a leadership role in healthcare, make an impact on healthcare policy, apply current research and evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes, and practice with interdisciplinary teams, information systems, and quality improvement.

There is a growing demand for nurses with advanced leadership and technology skills which enable them to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare environment. There is also an increasing need for nurses who possess advanced knowledge that enables them to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.

The DNP is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice and gain exceptional leadership and technology skills.

D.N.P. or Ph.D.?

Are you unsure of which nursing doctorate is the best choice?

Compare and contrast the Ph.D. and DNP programs

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Nursing - D.N.P.

Medical and health services managers

31.5%

much faster than the average

422,300

number of jobs

$104,280

potential earnings

Nurse practitioners

52.4%

much faster than the average

211,300

number of jobs

$111,680

potential earnings

Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

17.6%

much faster than the average

72,900

number of jobs

$75,470

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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